Impact of general anesthesia on the oral health related quality of life of patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Impact of General Anesthesia on the Oral Health Related Quality of Life of Patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities The purposes of this study were to describe the symptoms, daily life problems and parental concerns related to oral health for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities(IDD); and examine the effectiveness of oral rehabilitation under general anesthesia at improving oral health related quality of life. In order to measure the the change in oral health related quality of life Franciscan Hospital for Children Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (FHCOHRQOL) questionnaire was translated in Turkish and socio cultural adaptation was made . Family/caregivers of 155 patients with IDD who attented Cukurova University and Erciyes University Dentistry Faculties completed forms including information about socio-demographic findings, primary diagnosis of patients,previous dental experiences and oral hygiene habits besides FHCOHRQOL questionnaire. In adition to this two dentists completed oral health survey forms in operation rooms of Cukurova University and Erciyes University Dentistry Faculty operation rooms. Family caregivers of special health care needs patients report a variety of oral symptoms, daily life problems, and concerns attributable to their child's oral health that impact QOL The most frequent survey responses before oral rehabilitation were; toothache, difficulty at eating and anger about oral problems. Comparing the total scores for FHC-OHRQOL questionnaire the results suggest that the oral health rehabilitation under general anesthesia had a statisticaly positive impact on the oral health related quality of life. The total scores for FHC-OHRQOL and oral findings were compared with primary diagnosis, previous dental experience, the relationship between the person who completed the questionnaire, patient having epilepsy, gender and age groups. Key Words: Patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Quality of Life, Oral Health, FHC-OHRQOL